How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

A question that’s so simple, yet puzzles many of us on a regular basis is how often we should be washing our hair. Some of us might be lathering up every morning as part of our daily routine, while others prefer to leave it a few days – or even a week.  So what’s the answer? It all depends on your hair type and length.

Is it healthy to wash your hair everyday?

Opinion is divided on this, but too-frequent hair washing is generally considered to be drying and damaging, stripping the hair of its natural oils and fading colour if the hair is dyed. But, if your hair is shorter and more ‘virginal’ i.e. not dyed or treated, then it’s more likely to withstand the brunt of daily washing (although it’s still not ideal). 

Can washing your hair everyday cause hair loss?

While you might notice a few hairs fall out after washing it, this is completely normal and a natural part of your hair’s lifecycle. While washing your hair everyday won’t cause hair loss, make sure the water in your shower isn’t too hot, as this can irritate your scalp and affect any subsequent hair growth. (Also try not to use heated styling tools every time you wash your hair, as this can also put pressure on the scalp and make your hair more prone to breakage.)

How do you know when to wash your hair?

This comes down to your individual hair type and texture. If your hair is fine and/or gets greasy quite quickly then you might need to wash it every day. (However, washing your hair too frequently can cause the oil glands in your scalp to be over-stimulated, making your hair greasier as a result so it can become a vicious cycle.) Ditto if you use a lot of styling products, such as gel or hairspray, which might congest or irritate your scalp if they’re not washed out immediately. 

Those who have coloured, processed or curly/coily hair (especially types 3c or 4c), might want to restrict washing to once or twice a week, as this hair type is very vulnerable to breakage.

If you are going to wash your hair every day (for example, if you’re sweating it out on the treadmill each morning, or using a lot of styling products) then make sure to choose a shampoo which is sulphate-free, such as MONPURE’s Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo. Sulphates are chemical detergents that create a foamy lather – and while they’re effective at cleansing your hair, they can also strip it of moisture, leaving it dry and frizzy. 

Should I wash my hair if my scalp is itching?

If you notice your scalp itching in-between washes, this isn’t necessarily a sign that you should wash it more frequently – it could be that your scalp-skin is a little too dry.  While washing your hair can of course remove dead, flaky skin that’s causing the itching, it might not deal with the dryness in the long-term. 

If you don’t want to wash your hair too frequently, applying a few drops of MONPURE Hydrate and Soothe Scalp Serum through your roots and massaging in can work wonders when it comes to calming an itchy scalp. This is because it contains Pro Vitamin B5 and allantoin, which works to hydrate the scalp-skin, while witch hazel – a natural astringent – can soothe any redness and irritation.